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Cyperus, Cyperus, Xiang Fu 香附Nutgrass; Sweet Cyperus, Galingale
Xiang Fu (TCM) Musta, Mustaka, Motha (Skt) Nagarmotha, Saad-e-Kufi (Unani) |
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Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1555
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Sibthrop & Smith, Flora Graeca, 1806
Cyperus rotundus root (Adam, 2017)
Botanical name:
Cyperus rotundus; C. scariosus
Two types were known, Long and Round:
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Slightly Warm, dry. Pungent, slightly Bitter and Sweet.
Classifications:
2A APERIENT. 2C INCIDERS. 2H. CARMINATIVE. 2I. ANTISPASMODIC. 2S. STRENGTHENING
3E. DIURETIC. 3G. EMMENAGOGUE. 3H. LACTAGOGUE. 3M. ARTHRITIC
4e. STOMACHIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4k. ARTHRITIC
TCM:
J. Regulate Qi
Cyperus rotundus; C. scariosus
Two types were known, Long and Round:
- Round or English Cyperus: root is brown, full of little knots, grey within; sharp taste but almost without smell when taken from the ground. Grows along the banks of rivers with triangular stalks.
- Long Cyperus or Wild Galangal: knotty root, brown colored, grey within, pleasant scent when dried
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Slightly Warm, dry. Pungent, slightly Bitter and Sweet.
Classifications:
2A APERIENT. 2C INCIDERS. 2H. CARMINATIVE. 2I. ANTISPASMODIC. 2S. STRENGTHENING
3E. DIURETIC. 3G. EMMENAGOGUE. 3H. LACTAGOGUE. 3M. ARTHRITIC
4e. STOMACHIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4k. ARTHRITIC
TCM:
J. Regulate Qi
Uses:
1. Moves Qi, Opens Obstructions of the Liver:
-hypochondriac distention and pain, chest and abdominal fullness
-Lumps and Tumors, especially of the Breast
-'deobstruent for the vessels'; 'warming drug for the ... Liver'. (Avicenna)
-'improves complexion and renders a pleasant odour to the body'. (Avicenna)
-'prevailing against inward passions caused of Wind'. (Border, 1651)
2. Moves the Qi, Calms the Mind and Nerves:
-Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Hyper-emotionalism
-Headaches, Migraines; Hypertension
-improves Memory (Avicenna)
-Palpitations with Anxiety
-"good for treating a patient who is not happy and filled with depression". (Su Song)
-"Relieves Melancholy of Six kinds". (Li Shi Zhen)
3. Moves the Qi, Clears Damp, Benefits the Stomach:
-"weakness and coldness of the Stomach" (Avicenna)
-Indigestion, Poor Appetite
-Stomach and Abdominal Pain and distention
-Diarrhea from Cold and Damp; Inflammatory diseases of the Bowels
-Obesity
4. Move the Qi and Blood, Regulates Menstruation:
-benefits the Uterus; "useful for Coldness of the Uterus" ... "panacea for Women's diseases". (Avicenna)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Irregular Menstruation
-PMS, irritability, breast tenderness before Menstruation
-Morning Sickness, Restless Fetus disorder, Threatened Miscarriage
-important herb in gynecology and obstetrics
-"regulates Menstruation and good for treating 100 ante- and post-partum diseases". (Li Shi Zhen)
5. Clears Wind-Damp, Promotes Urine:
-beginning of Edema
-Strangury (Avicenna); Dysuria, Bladder Ulcers
-Gravel, Stones (proven effect)
-"expels and dissolves Stones and proves to be very useful in Strangury". (Avicenna)
-Arthritic pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Incontinence associated with Cold and Damp, or Qi stagnation
6. Promotes Milk
-promotes Breast Milk and improves quality (Unani)
-plaster can be applied to the breast as a Galactogogue.
7. Kills Worms
-regarded as effective for Worms in Unani, although it is rarely used for this purpose
8. Externally:
-paste of the fresh root is applied to Scorpion Bites
-dried paste or powder is applied to moist and spreading Ulcers
-difficult, putrid and corrosive Ulcers (Avicenna)
-topically for Mouth Ulcers
-topically to Herpes
-chewed for bad Breath
-Depilatory (Avicenna)
-boiled in oil and applied to the Bladder to promote Urine
Dose:
1. With Oxymel to open obstructions
2. With Wine to move the Blood
Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Decoction: 3–12 grams
Comment
In Unani medicine, Cyperus has a useful function. When the Liver is cold, weak, and congested with excess undigested Humors, digestion suffers, absorption is poor and diarrhea occurs. Cyperus is useful to correct the condition. This is Liver Qi stagnation with coldness, or sometimes just referred to as Liver Coldness.
Substitutes:
1. Valerian (Unani)
2. Wormwood (Unani)
3. Fenugreek (Unani)
4. Cyperus rotundus is regarded as a substitute for the rare and endangered Aconitum heterophyllum.
Correctives:
1. Aniseed
2. According to traditional TCM texts, it is enhanced with Vinegar, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Atractylodes Cang Zhu.
Preparation:
Cyperus root is generally used in its dried state. However, it is also sometimes prepared. When used raw, it moves upward and outward to the chest and skin. When prepared it moves deeper into the body to effect the Liver, Kidneys and lower body.
1. Prepared Cyperus (Unani)
Steep in water for 3 days, then dry.
2. Vinegar-prepared Cyperus (TCM, West)
Stir-fried with Vinegar to enter the Liver and more strongly moves the blood, resolves masses and accumulations, and eases pain. Especially effective for pain from Qi stagnation. An example of the Western preparation with Vinegar appears below for Colic and Bloating.
3. Wine-prepared Cyperus (TCM)
Soaked in wine then Stir-fried with Wine to penetrate the capillary circulation and open the channels.
4. Vinegar and Wine-prepared Cyperus. (TCM)
The root is boiled in equal parts of rice vinegar and yellow rice wine, then dried in the sun. This is stronger to move Qi and Blood and eases pain.
5. Ginger-prepared Cyperus (TCM)
The herb is soaked in Ginger juice, then stir-fried until dry. This preparation resolves warms the Stomach, promotes digestion, and resolves Phlegm and Mucus.
6. Cyperus Preparation with Four Substances: (TCM)
A traditional preparation where Cyperus is prepared with Rice wine, Rice vinegar, clarified Honey and Boy's urine then dry fried until dry; or according to other sources Wine, Salt, Ginger juice and Boy's urine. Another version used Seven substances: Wine, Vinegar, Salt, Brown Sugar, Ginger juice, Woman's Milk, Boy's Urine. Prepared by any of these methods corrects the adverse effects of Cyperus: it stops the draining effect on Qi and Blood and thus is better for Qi and Blood obstruction in patients with deficiency.
7. Charred Cyperus (TCM):
Stir-fried in a dry Wok until scorched black but not reduced to charcoal, then sprayed with water and dried in the sun. This is stronger to stop Bleeding, and is especially useful for excess menstrual bleeding.
8. Salt-prepared Cyperus:
It was previously prepared with salt where the root is sprinkled with salt water, then stir fried to dry. This leads the dru to the Kidney. (Li Shi Zhen)
9. Urine-prepared Cyperus:
Soak the drug in a childs urine, then wash and sun dry. (Li Shi Zhen)
1. With Oxymel to open obstructions
2. With Wine to move the Blood
Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Decoction: 3–12 grams
Comment
In Unani medicine, Cyperus has a useful function. When the Liver is cold, weak, and congested with excess undigested Humors, digestion suffers, absorption is poor and diarrhea occurs. Cyperus is useful to correct the condition. This is Liver Qi stagnation with coldness, or sometimes just referred to as Liver Coldness.
Substitutes:
1. Valerian (Unani)
2. Wormwood (Unani)
3. Fenugreek (Unani)
4. Cyperus rotundus is regarded as a substitute for the rare and endangered Aconitum heterophyllum.
Correctives:
1. Aniseed
2. According to traditional TCM texts, it is enhanced with Vinegar, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Atractylodes Cang Zhu.
Preparation:
Cyperus root is generally used in its dried state. However, it is also sometimes prepared. When used raw, it moves upward and outward to the chest and skin. When prepared it moves deeper into the body to effect the Liver, Kidneys and lower body.
1. Prepared Cyperus (Unani)
Steep in water for 3 days, then dry.
2. Vinegar-prepared Cyperus (TCM, West)
Stir-fried with Vinegar to enter the Liver and more strongly moves the blood, resolves masses and accumulations, and eases pain. Especially effective for pain from Qi stagnation. An example of the Western preparation with Vinegar appears below for Colic and Bloating.
3. Wine-prepared Cyperus (TCM)
Soaked in wine then Stir-fried with Wine to penetrate the capillary circulation and open the channels.
4. Vinegar and Wine-prepared Cyperus. (TCM)
The root is boiled in equal parts of rice vinegar and yellow rice wine, then dried in the sun. This is stronger to move Qi and Blood and eases pain.
5. Ginger-prepared Cyperus (TCM)
The herb is soaked in Ginger juice, then stir-fried until dry. This preparation resolves warms the Stomach, promotes digestion, and resolves Phlegm and Mucus.
6. Cyperus Preparation with Four Substances: (TCM)
A traditional preparation where Cyperus is prepared with Rice wine, Rice vinegar, clarified Honey and Boy's urine then dry fried until dry; or according to other sources Wine, Salt, Ginger juice and Boy's urine. Another version used Seven substances: Wine, Vinegar, Salt, Brown Sugar, Ginger juice, Woman's Milk, Boy's Urine. Prepared by any of these methods corrects the adverse effects of Cyperus: it stops the draining effect on Qi and Blood and thus is better for Qi and Blood obstruction in patients with deficiency.
7. Charred Cyperus (TCM):
Stir-fried in a dry Wok until scorched black but not reduced to charcoal, then sprayed with water and dried in the sun. This is stronger to stop Bleeding, and is especially useful for excess menstrual bleeding.
8. Salt-prepared Cyperus:
It was previously prepared with salt where the root is sprinkled with salt water, then stir fried to dry. This leads the dru to the Kidney. (Li Shi Zhen)
9. Urine-prepared Cyperus:
Soak the drug in a childs urine, then wash and sun dry. (Li Shi Zhen)
Main Combinations:
Gynecology, Obstetrics
1. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Dang Gui and Mugwort
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Saxifrage (Pimpinella) and Mace, tied in a nodule and steeped in wine (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
iii. Cyperus rotundus with Angelica, Valerian, Madder, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Cinnamon (as in Emmenagogue Decoction)
iv. Cyperus rotundus with Madder, Cyperus, Asparagus root, Balm, Valerian, Mint, Pennyroyal, Licorice (as in Emmenagogue Syrup)
2. Irregular Menstruation:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Dang Gui and Peony root (TCM)
ii. with Intermittent Bleeding, Cyperus rotundus with Asparagus root, Ginger, Rose (Ayurveda)
3. Menorrhagia, Cyperus rotundus with Barberry, Swertia, Adhatoda (Vasaka) (Ayurveda)
4. Suffocation of the Uterus:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Calamus (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Calamus, Zedoary, Bay berry (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
5. Uterine pain from Wind:
i. take Cyperus powder (1 dram) with white wine
ii. Cyperus, Pennyroyal, Rue
iii. Cyperus, Paeonia Bai Shao, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
6. Infertility, Cyperus rotundus with Madder, Mugwort, Mint, Wormwood, Fennel root, Marjoram, Calamus, Aniseed, Balm (as in Electuary to Promote Fertility)
7. Uterine diseases, and to promote Fertility, Mango kernel with Woodfordia, Licorice, Cyperus rotundus, Sandalwood (Ayurveda)
8. Morning Sickness, Cyperus rotundus with Ginger and Coriander
9. To promote Breast Milk, prepare a decoction with Cyperus rotundus and Tribulus seed (TCM)
10. Breast Lumps, Nodules, Hyperplasia:
i. Cyperus rotundus (honey-fried), Magnolia cortex Hou Po, Costus (Mu Xiang), Curcuma Yu Jin, dry-fried Dang Gui, Safflower (Hong Hua), Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), dry-fried Paeonia Bai Shao (The Formulas of Dr. John H.F. Shen)
ii. Cyperus rotundus (vinegar prepared), Bupleurum Chai Hu, Citrus Qing Pi, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao, Salvia Dan Shen, Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng, Oyster shell (Mu Li), Laminaria Kun Bu, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi) (as in Ru Ji Ling Ke Li)
Digestion, Abdomen
11. Colic, Bloating, Digestive stagnation:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Coriander seed, Cardamon
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Wormwood, Mint, Clove, Nutmeg, soak in vinegar, then toasted and applied warm to the Stomach. (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
12. Coldness and pain of the Stomach:
i. Cyperus rotundus, Galangal, Clove, Wormwood, Mint
ii. Cyperus rotundus, Wormwood, taken with Diagalanga and Diacyminum
13. Loss of Appetite:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Ginger
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Cinnamon, Aniseed, Celery, Mint, Calamint, Zedoary, Clove
14. Liver Qi Stagnation with poor digestion:
i. Cyperus rotundus, Cinnamon, Ginger, Orange peel
ii. Cyperus rotundus, Mastic, Wormwood, Aniseed
15. Diarrhea, Cyperus rotundus with Pomegranate rind, Holarrhena, Aegle (Ayurveda)
16. Gastritis:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Galangal (TCM)
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Swertia (or Gentian), Licorice
17. Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cyperus rotundus, Holarrhena, Mesua ferrea, Licorice, Emblic Myrobalan
18. Tumors and severe pains in the abdomen:
i. Cyperus rotundus, Cardamon, Sandalwood, Picrorrhiza, Fumitory, Barberry root-bark, Cinnamon, Long and Black Pepper, Ginger (Ayurveda)
ii. Cyperus rotundus, Cissampelos, Holarrhena, Picrorhiza, Aconitum heterophyllum, Turmeric (Ayurveda)
19. Obesity:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Costus and Ginger (Ayurveda)
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Fennel seed
iii. Cyperus rotundus with Poria Fu Ling and Citrus unshiu
iv. Cyperus rotundus with Plumbago, Embelia ribes ('Trimad', Ayurvedic patent)
20. Hernia: 'good for such as are bursten [Hernia], for it resolveth the wind, if you take the powder thereof being stamped very small, and make a plaister thereof with other things appropriate thereunto, applying the same to the rupture, and changing it once every day'. (The English Unparalleled Physician, Border, 1651)
21. Worms, Parasites and Candida, Cyperus rotundus with Asafetida, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Picrorrhiza (Ayurveda)
Liver:
22. Liver Qi Stagnation/Liver Coldness:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Cinnamon
ii. Cyperus rotundus with aged Citrus peel (Chen Pi), Bupleurum Chai Hu, Peonia Bai Shao
iii. Liver congestion, Cyperus rotundus with Neem, Barberry, Tinospora (Ayurveda)
23. Liver Heat:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Picrorrhiza
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Andrographis
iii. Cyperus rotundus with Coptis Huang Lian, Paeonia Bai Shao
Urinary:
24. Painful urination, Dysuria:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Agrimony
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Poria Fu Ling
25. Incontinence:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Indian Spikenard, French Lavender, Frankincense bark, Cumin (as in Powder for Incontinence)
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Comfrey, Galangal, Plantain, Horsetail, Rue seed, Agnus Castus, Frankincense (as in Wine for Incontinence)
26. Urinary stones:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Madder, Celery seed
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Cubeb (Unani, proven effect)
Other:
27. Fever:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Ginger, Red Sandalwood and Gentian (Ayurveda)
ii. from excess Bile (Pitta), with Basil and Andrographis (Ayurveda)
iii. Chronic Fever, or Fever with Diarrhea, Cyperus rotundus with Swertia (Chiretta), Tinospora, Ginger (Ayurveda)
28. Dysentery and Diarrhea, Cyperus root is beaten with fresh Ginger and mixed with Honey
29. Sexual Transmitted Diseases and Urinary Tract Infections, Cyperus rotundus with Picrorrhiza, Sandalwood and Ginger (Ayurveda)
30. Arthritis, Rheumatism:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Bdellium, Tribulus seed, Triphala (3 fruit), Trikatu (3 pungents), Cinnamon
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Frankincense, Shilajit, Zinc Bhasma
31. Chronic Inflammation:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Astragalus Huang Qi, Andrographis
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Frankincense, Turmeric, Ginger
iii. Cyperus rotundus with Barberry, Licorice
32. Impotence in middle age, and to promote virility into old age, Cyperus rotundus with Poria Fu Ling, made into pills with Honey. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
33. Loss of Memory:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Frankincense, Calamus (as in Electuary for Amnesia)
ii. Cyperus rotundus with Frankincense, Black Pepper (as in Electuary of Frankincense)
34. Angina Pectoris:
i. Cyperus rotundus, Storax, Saffron
ii. Burnt Deer Horn (Bhasma) with Cyperus rotundus and Arjuna (Ayurveda)
35. Headaches, Migraines, boil Cyperus rotundus, then dry, powder, mix with Honey and form pills. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
36. Anxiety:
i. Cyperus rotundus with Valerian (Ayurveda)
ii. Cyperus rotundus, Rose, Balm, Peony, Sandalwood
37. Depression:
i. Cyperus rotundus, St. Johns wort, Balm, Saffron
ii. Cyperus rotundus, Lindera Wu Yao, Aloeswood (Chen Xiang), Licorice (Gan Cao), Platycodon Jie Geng, Citrus Zhi Shi. (Korean Formula)
38. To promote Longevity, Cyperus rotundus has been combined with Plantain seed. Pills of these two ingredients were said to restore black hair and promote longevity and virility. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
Major Formulas:
Emmenagogue Decoction (Riverius)
Emmenagogue Syrup
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Powder of Aloeswood (Mesue)
Powder for Loss of Appetite Greater (Nicholas)
Powder to Warm and Bind the Belly
Powder for Incontinence
Powder to Strengthen the Memory
Powder for Evil Complexion of the Heart (Isaac)
Powder to Quell Excess Lust (Nicholas)
Troches for Hardness of the Liver
Letificans Electuary of Filius Zacharia
Expert Confection for Tremors
Electuary of Frankincense (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Frankincense (Unani)
Electuary for Amnesia (Unani)
Electuary for Incontinence (Riverius)
Electuary for Memory (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Seseli (Nicholas)
Electuary Against Sterility (Nicholas)
Electuary to Promote Fertility (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Aloeswood (Avicenna)
Electuary which is Remarkably Effective
Indian Electuary Greater (Mesue)
Letificans Electuary of Filius Zacharia
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain
Antidote for the Liver and Chronic Cough
Pills to Crumble Kidney Stones (Unani)
Powder for Head Wounds (Andernacus)
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Su He Xiang Wan
Decoction for Morning Sickness (Ayurveda)
Cautions:
Generally Safe.
1. Not use in marked weakness (Qi deficiency), Yin deficiency or strong Heat.
2. Avicenna noted its excess use makes the hair grow thin.
Main Preparations used:
Generally Safe.
1. Not use in marked weakness (Qi deficiency), Yin deficiency or strong Heat.
2. Avicenna noted its excess use makes the hair grow thin.
Main Preparations used:
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